Holden residents approve budget

HOLDEN, Maine — A couple of residents had questions at Wednesday night’s annual town meeting, but no changes were made to the nearly $2.26 million municipal budget, which easily passed, Town Manager John Butts said Thursday.

“A couple questions were asked to explain a couple of things and that was it,” he said.

Residents endorsed a $2,257,777 municipal budget for 2011-12, which is about $136,000 more than last year. The SAD 63 fiscal year 2011-12 budget is $8,995,295 and Holden’s share is $2,318,965, a $43,188 increase. County taxes increased from $293,867 to $309,395.

Last year, in an effort to rebuild the undesignated fund balance, town leaders decided not to use any of the funds to reduce the tax rate, which caused the property tax rate to increase from $12.32 to $13.70 per $1,000 valuation.

Butts said he expects the reserve account to be tapped this year but noted the decision is in the hands of the Town Council, which will take up the issue at its June 20 meeting.

“We’re going to give them a couple options — what the mill rate would be without the fund balance and what it would be with the fund balance,” Butts said. “The council will make the decision.”

About 30 residents attended the annual meeting, Deputy Town Clerk Wanda Libbey said Thursday morning. “It was short and sweet,” she said.